Rev. René A. Perez, Pastor

Thank you for visiting our website. My name is René Perez, and I was appointed Pastor of John Wesley in July of 2022, and I am having a great time since then. Before coming here, I served as pastor in Philadelphia, PA; Valley Forge, PA; Lititz, PA; Holden, MA, and Springfield, MA. I am married to the love of my life, Wanda since 1991. We have three amazing kids, Kayla, Isaias and Ezekiel. 

I hope that as you browse through the pages of our website, you can feel the love and excitement that this church has to offer. We are a loving and welcoming community of faith whose dream is to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and transform our world through acts of kindness, words of hope, and lives which reflect the love of God. 

If you are looking for a place to belong, a place to hope, or a place to worship, we want to be that place for you. We are a church of people of all ages and from many places, who seek to grow in our faith of God and in our love for our neighbors. 

I look forward to meeting you. 

Pastor René

Hannah Stelter, Director of Children & Youth Ministries

Hannah Stelter grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and graduated in Spring 2020 from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability. After discovering her love of working with children and youth, Hannah minored in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Hannah grew up in the Methodist Church and attended Youth Group, Sunday School, Bible Studies, Mission Trips and more while in the youth program.

During the summers while in college, Hannah served as a camp counselor at a United Methodist Camp in Central Florida. She spent two very hot summers leading small groups, playing games, and worshiping with hundreds of students of all ages. Hannah’s summers at this camp encouraged her to follow God’s call to work with children and youth in a church setting.  During the school year, Hannah was an active member of Gator Wesley, the United Methodist Campus Ministry at UF. There, she served as an intern, helping to coordinate and plan different events. 

Hannah recently married her best friend, Oz, and enjoys reading, sweet tea, the color purple, Disney and the smell of lavender. She hopes to one day visit Italy, learn how to embroider, and own a house with a big yard.

Paula King, Director of Music Ministries

Liturgical music has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old! It all started with playing guitar in a church folk group. My strong Christian faith and love of music led me to pursue studies in both. I received my BA from Wheaton College in Music with a focus on piano performance, studies in music in worship, hymnody. My organ studies with Rev. David Gallagher at Boston College led to an amazing concert on the Great Organ at Methuen Memorial Music Hall! I have a Master Teacher’s Certificate in Liturgical Music. My love of God and serving others also led me to pursue master’s studies in Pastoral Ministry at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Currently, I am entering my 4th year in a 4-year Education for Ministry certificate program through the School of Theology of Sewanee School of the South. One can never stop learning!